Gandhi will be accompanied by party general secretary Madhusudan Mistry, Rajya Sabha member Pramod Tiwari and others senior leaders.

Congress leaders said that the rally would be a show of strength and popularity of Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress did well in UP under Rahul. Can it repeat the same this year?

UP sends 80 lawmakers to the Lok Sabha. In 2009, the Congress had done good in the state under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi by winning 21 seats in the state. This time, however, it is facing strong anti-incumbency in the state.

Most pre-poll surveys have predicted the BJP to do well in the crucial state this time. Last time, the BJP finished fourth in the four-way fight in the state. This time, however, it looks a rejuvenated lot and has fielded some of its top leaders, including prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and party president Rajnath Singh from the state. The Congress is likely to field senior party leader Digvijay Singh against Modi at Varanasi though it is yet to be confirmed.